Is Sidemount Diving Right for You? Pros, Cons, and Getting Started

By Ben Lair
Blog Training

You’ve probably seen them on the dive boat or at the lake: divers standing perfectly upright with no tank on their back, only to clip two cylinders to their sides the moment they hit the water. Sidemount diving used to be a highly specialized configuration reserved exclusively for hardcore cave divers squeezing through tiny rock restrictions. Today, it has completely exploded into the mainstream recreational scuba world. But is sidemount just a cool-looking, gear-heavy trend, or is it actually a better way to dive? Here is the honest truth about taking the tanks off your back.

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Why You Should Take the SSI Night Diving Specialty

By Ben Lair
Blog Training

Let’s just be completely honest for a second: rolling backward off a boat into a pitch-black, bottomless ocean goes against basically every survival instinct hardwired into the human brain. The first time you do it, your heart is going to be hammering against your ribs. But the moment you descend and turn on your light, the fear vanishes, replaced by absolute awe. Night diving is an entirely different sport. The reef transforms, the big predators come out to hunt, and your focus becomes razor-sharp. If you’ve been on the fence about diving in the dark, here is exactly why you need to take your SSI Night Diving and Limited Visibility Specialty—and the gear you’ll need to do it safely.

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The Decision to Turn Pro: What the SSI Divemaster Course Entails

By Ben Lair
Blog Training

Making the leap from recreational diver to dive professional is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make in the sport. But earning the title of SSI Divemaster requires more than just a love for the ocean. It demands a mastery of dive theory, flawless in-water skills, and the ability to manage and protect other divers. If you are wondering what it actually takes to trade your weekend hobby for a professional certification, here is an inside look at the rigors and rewards of the SSI Divemaster program.

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Non-Silting Propulsion: Moving Without Disturbing the Silt

By Ben Lair
Blog Training

You finish your entry, descend perfectly to the line, and take your first kick. Instant whiteout. If you are using the traditional flutter kick in a silty or enclosed environment, you aren’t just wasting energy; you are actively destroying the visibility for your entire team. The standard kick is a tool, but it is not the right tool for precise maneuvering. Mastering non-silting propulsion techniques—starting with the frog kick—is the art of moving powerfully while leaving the environment undisturbed. Here is how you progress beyond the flutter.

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Essential Gear That Will Make You a Better Freediver

By Ben Lair
Blog Equipment

Can you theoretically freedive in your standard scuba gear? Yes. But it is a lot like trying to run a marathon in heavy hiking boots. Scuba gear is designed for a sport where your air supply is essentially unlimited. Freediving, on the other hand, is an entirely different game centered around drag reduction, hydrodynamics, and extreme oxygen conservation. If you want to increase your bottom time and reach new depths comfortably, you need the right tools for the job. Here is the essential gear that will instantly help you become a better, more efficient freediver.

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Marine Life of the Gulf of California: What to Expect

By Ben Lair
Blog Travel

Jacques Cousteau famously called the Sea of Cortez the “Aquarium of the World,” and when we run shop trips from Tucson down to San Carlos, we get to see why. But the Gulf of California is a vast, dynamic ecosystem, and a lot of divers arrive with unrealistic expectations (or no idea what to look for). Will you see a whale shark? Maybe. Will you see a seahorse? Only if you have a great guide. Here is your realistic field guide to the incredible marine life you can actually expect to encounter on your next San Carlos adventure.

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7 Marine Animals Every Diver Hopes to See at Least Once

By Ben Lair
Blog

Ask any group of divers about their most memorable moment underwater and you’ll rarely hear about a perfect descent. You’ll hear about an animal. These encounters are why so many of us keep coming back, dive after dive. Here are seven marine animals that turn an ordinary dive into a story you’ll tell for years, plus how to find them.

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Always Cold Underwater? Why a Quality Scuba Hood is Your Missing Piece

By Ben Lair
Equipment

If you are the diver who is shivering at the safety stop while everyone else seems perfectly fine, you probably think you just “run cold.” You might even be considering buying a massive, bulky 7mm wetsuit for a tropical trip just to stay comfortable. Before you drop hundreds of dollars on thicker neoprene, there is a much cheaper, highly effective secret weapon you are probably ignoring: a high-quality scuba hood. Here is why covering your head is the absolute game-changer for cold divers.

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Discover the Depths: Join Our 2026 Playa del Carmen Freediving Camp | 72 Aquatics

By Ben Lair
Blog Training Travel

There is nothing quite like the feeling of slipping into the crystal-clear, freshwater sinkholes of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on a single breath. The cenotes offer a magical, sun-drenched environment perfectly suited for freediving. Whether you are looking to earn your first SSI Freediver certification, hit a new personal best depth, or just find some underwater zen, our 8-day Freedive Playa 2026 camp is the ultimate escape. Here is what to expect on our upcoming trip to the heart of Playa del Carmen.

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Dive Hand Signals: The Complete Visual Guide Every Diver Should Know

By Ben Lair
Blog Training

We have all been there: your dive buddy is frantically waving their arms, tapping their head, and doing a weird little dance, and you have absolutely no idea what they are trying to say. Underwater charades can be hilarious, but when it comes to air management and safety, clear communication is critical. Don’t wait until you are 60 feet down to realize you and your buddy speak different languages. Here is your complete guide to the universal scuba hand signals every diver needs to know before they giant-stride off the boat.

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Wetsuit Thickness Guide for Arizona Divers: What to Own for Every Condition

By Ben Lair
Blog Equipment

Being an Arizona scuba diver means dealing with some of the most extreme temperature swings in the sport. One weekend you are sweating on a boat in San Carlos, and the next you are dropping into a 55-degree thermocline at Lake Pleasant. So, what exactly should you be hanging in your gear closet? You can’t dive the world comfortably in just one suit. Here is our instructor-approved guide to wetsuit thickness, helping you figure out exactly what you need to own for every condition.

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What Is a Surface Marker Buoy and Why You Should Never Dive Without One

By Ben Lair
Blog Equipment

It’s bright, it’s orange, and it just might save your life. The Surface Marker Buoy (SMB), affectionately known in the dive world as a “safety sausage,” is arguably the most important piece of safety equipment you can carry in your BCD pocket. Whether you’re surfacing among weekend boat traffic at an Arizona lake or drifting along a deep wall in the Sea of Cortez, an SMB ensures boats can see you and your crew can find you. Here is everything you need to know about this essential tool and why you should never make a splash without one.

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